Last Updated:
Sona Pond is approximately 45 feet wide, 150 feet long and 12 feet deep. Rohu and Katla fishes are prepared by eating rice and bread grains. Whereas the glass cup only eats grass and survives on natural food only.
Dhanbad: Sona Khan, a resident of Bhag in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, has been earning his family’s living by fishing for the last 22 years. Sona, who once roamed around Delhi-Mumbai in search of employment, is today recognized as a successful fish businessman in his area. Due to financial constraints and not getting proper work, he made fish farming his main business by building a small pond on the vacant land behind his house.
Sona Khan tells that in the beginning she did not have much money. Still, he took the risk and bought about 50 thousand Rohu Katla and Grasshopper Gilas Cup fish babies from Kolkata in West Bengal and Purnia in Bihar and released them in his pond. His pond is approximately 45 feet wide, 150 feet long and 12 feet deep. Rohu and Katla fishes are prepared by eating rice and bread grains. Whereas glass cup fish eats only grass and survives on natural food only.
It takes about three months for a fish to be fully mature and the weight of the fish in the gold mine pond ranges from 1 kg to 7 kg. He sells the prepared fish in Jharia Mandi, Digwadih Mandi and some markets of West Bengal at a price of only Rs 100 per kg. Rohu and Katla fish are sold in the market for Rs 200 to Rs 800 per kg. But gold miners keep the minimum price so that their business continues and the needs of the family are met.
He says that the condition of the family was very weak and there was no ability to invest big capital. But taking inspiration from the fish market of Kolkata, he started this business on a low budget, which today has not only provided support to his family but has also become a source of permanent income.
Sona Khan gives a message to the unemployed youth that if they are not getting employment, they can start fish farming in a small pond near their house. This business can not only be started at low cost. Rather, it can also give good income with hard work and regular care. Sona says, fish farming is such a business that can be taken to a big level even after starting small. All that is needed is courage and continuous hard work. This story of Sona Khan of Jharia proves that there is no dearth of opportunities, one just needs vision and courage.
